Dr. Oz Says Medical Marijuana Would Benefit Americans

Dr. Oz is one of the nation’s most popular doctors and, according to him, medical marijuana could help stop the opioid epidemic.

Dr. Oz also criticizes the federal status of marijuana, according to Forbes. This comes on the heels of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch’s legislation announcement calling to allow medical research on marijuana without having the current restrictive barriers.

“The real story is hypocrisy around medical marijuana. People think it’s a gateway drug to narcotics. It may be the exit drug to get us out of the narcotic epidemic,” said Dr. Oz. He continued, “We’re not allowed to study it because it’s a Schedule I drug, and I personally believe it could help.”

Research data already shows that in states where medical marijuana is legal that opioid addiction and overdose death rates decrease.

Dr. Oz has spoken in the past about the potential of medical marijuana to be a safer alternative to opioid medications.